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AAT Bioquest

What is the difference between Fura-2 and Quin-2

Posted July 23, 2021


Answer

Fura-2

  • Is a second-generation, UV light-excitable, ratiometric indicator dye
  • Widely used for ratio-imaging microscopy
  • Enables researchers to accurately measure intracellular Ca2+ in living cells
  • Ratiometric readout minimizes problems associated with varying cell thicknesses, dye leakage, photobleaching, and uneven dye loading
  • Especially well-suited for ratio-imaging microscopy
  • On binding with Ca2+ exhibits an absorption shift that can be observed by scanning the excitation spectrum between 300 and 400 nm, while monitoring the emission at ~510 nm

Quin-2

  • Is a first-generation, membrane-impermeable fluorescent Ca2+ indicator
  • Demonstrates strong affinity for calcium, resulting in notable shift in ultraviolet absorption and fluorescence spectra between the bound and unbound states
  • Is sensitive enough to monitor low levels of calcium in resting cells.
  • Not affected by intracellular pH, sodium gradients, or membrane potential range
  • Has lower absorptivity and quantum yield values as compared to Fura-2
  • Excitation and emission maxima are 339/492 nm, respectively.
Additional resources

Fluorescence lifetime imaging of calcium using Quin-2

Quin-2, tetrapotassium salt

Mag-Fura-2 tetrapotassium salt *Cell impermeant*